Robert,
Some further explanation wrt your question in this article:
seattlep-i.com
Voice e-mail is touted as 'next wave of Internet'
Saturday, October 9, 1999
By ANICK JESDANUN
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK -- Voice mail on the Internet? E-mail over the phone?
Both are emerging, as the line separating phones and computers continues to blur. New products and services will let callers leave messages as e-mail attachments or check e-mail by phone.
"We think voice is going to be the next wave of the Internet," said Judy Radlinsky, spokeswoman for General Magic, which featured both services at the Internet World conference that ended yesterday.
Jfax.com and eFax.com are among the other companies offering voice e-mail. Some of the services have been available for a few months; others were introduced at the show this week.
Callers use a special number to leave a voice message, and it pops up as an e-mail. Recipients can listen to messages from the computer or by phone. One drawback: They need separate numbers.
Regular voice mail services offered by phone companies automatically transfer unanswered or busy calls to the voice mail system.
With Internet-based services, callers must make a second call, or recipients must subscribe to a call-forwarding service from the phone company.
Jfax and eFax also offer services that translate faxes to e-mail.
"The idea is you're a moving target," said Josh Mailman, an eFax product demonstrator. "The easier you can be found (and) capture and get your information, the better."
Internet World, a five-day conference sponsored by publishers of Internet World magazine, brings together Internet companies ranging from Microsoft Corp. to the smallest startups. |
